News Archives - Page 44 of 447

The ultimate sacrifice: Tulalip honors fallen service men and women on Memorial Day

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

“I come from a line of many people who have served in the military,” said Tulalip Veteran Angela Davis. “I want to thank everyone for being here and supporting our veterans and those who have gone before us. I was told by a commander one time that less than 1% of our population chooses to serve in the military. But when it comes to Native Americans we actually have a higher percentage; Native Americans serve at a higher rate than any other population. I want to thank our Native American veterans and remember the ones who have fallen.”

Two special Memorial Day services were held at Tulalip to honor the brave men and women who fought to defend this Nation’s freedom and are no longer with us. Mini U.S. flags and flower arrangements decorated the final resting place of over 200 tribal members who honorably served during their lifetime, at both the Priest Point and Mission Beach cemeteries. Families from near and far traveled to the reservation to witness the ceremonies and pay their respects on a gorgeous morning during the last day of May.

Sticking to tradition, Vietnam Veteran and Tulalip BOD Mel Sheldon took up hosting responsibilities, providing good natured humor as well as sincere recollections and sentiments throughout the day of remembrance.

Mel shared, “Across the Nation, as we gather to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those that died for our country, we remember our Tribal members who died fighting from Tulalip. Special thanks to our brothers and sisters, they didn’t ask for it but they made the sacrifice. Today we are also remembering Stan [Jones], our former chairman for many years, every year he was here with the veterans.”

Teri Gobin, Tulalip Chairwoman and daughter of Stan Jones added, “I think about what you have to go through being in the service. I think about my father and the stories he told me. I want to say thank you to all who came out to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice, those who served to protect us, and their families who stood beside them.”

As this Nation’s original caretakers, defending this land may have a more significant meaning to tribal members across the country. It maybe the reason why there are 31,000 active Native American men and women serving today, and why there’s over 140,000 living veterans who are Indigenous, according to the Department of Defense. And as Angela stated, Natives serve at a higher rate than any other demographic, five times the national average to be exact.

Throughout the many years that Tulalip celebrated Memorial Day with its membership, Tulalip Veteran Cy Hatch III held the honor of reading the names of each tribal member who served and died for this country during roll call. However, the 2020 ceremonies would serve as the last time that Cy spoke the names of his fallen military brethren aloud as he officially passed the torch to Sara Andres this year.

A number of veterans shared words at both ceremonies, thanking the groundskeepers for maintaining the cemeteries. The maintenance crews were credited with enhancing the beauty of both of the sites to compliment the views of the Salish Sea, and for providing an exquisite space where families can gather and remember those who have transitioned to the next journey after providing years of dedication and service to their country.

William McLean III, Tulalip Veterans Department Manager said, “I want to thank the maintenance crews, all of them. We have a few veterans that came out to clean the cemetery today. We have the regular grounds maintenance crew that cuts the grass and does pick-up, and we have building maintenance crew members – every single day they come out and put these flags up and take them down. They show their respects to each individual flag, for each branch of service and our country. I want to thank everybody that put in work this entire month to give respect.”

Tulalip elder and Marine Veteran, Cy ‘Saigon’ Williams recounted, “When I think of our people who have lost their life at war, I think of my dad. My father was Bernard Williams Sr. he fought in the South Pacific from island to island and he didn’t make it home. The next one I think of is my oldest brother, Bernard Williams Jr. he was in the United States Marine Corps, he served in 7th Engineer and he came into Vietnam in ’65. They fought their way all the way to the Ho Chi Minh trail. And I think of my youngest brother, Randy Williams, he was Naval personnel and took care of records that brought in ammo, personnel and equipment for the war. We all made it home, but I do miss my brothers now – how we used to visit as a family every weekend and share some beers and a lot of bad memories. I want to thank my people for being here to remember our fathers, grandpas, uncles, brothers, sisters who have served this Nation.”

The ceremonies concluded with roll call and a 21-gun salute in honor of those who enlisted and since have passed. As the people left the Mission Beach cemetery, visiting the graves of their fallen heroes on their way out, an eagle soared high above the cemetery grounds, a symbolic gesture that many family members in attendance will undoubtedly hold dear to their hearts for years to come.

“When we went to Vietnam, there are guys I remember who became pilots [with me],” Mel shared. “Because of Operation Lam Sun 719, twelve of them did not get to come home. During my unit in Charlie Troop, I had two crew chiefs that did not get to come home. Two cobra pilots, their aircraft flew into the ground – we still don’t know why. I talked to them that morning, by noon they were gone. It is this day that I remember them in a good way, to remind us how fortunate we are. To remember too, how many Native Americans step up to the plate, especially at home here in Tulalip. If you look around, look at all the flags. We are very proud of our veterans who serve.”

A Ride to Remember

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Ducati’s, Harley’s and Suzuki’s revved to life on the morning of May 30. They zoomed out of the parking lot of the Tulalip Justice Center, getting set in formation behind a cohort of Tulalip Police Department (TPD) Fish and Wildlife pickup trucks, leading a giant trailer which featured the photos of 338 police officers who died in the line of duty over the past year. A warm, loving bright smile, that many Tulalip community members knew so well, and will continue to fondly reminisce of, can be spotted on the trailer, on the passenger side near the front.

A community still hurting, many Tulalip tribal members and citizens were amongst the procession of about 100 motorcycles, ATVs, police vehicles, cars, trucks and vans, rallying behind the family of Fallen TPD Officer, Charlie Cortez. It’s been over a-half-a-year since the tragic accident occurred on local waters, which claimed Charlie’s life at the young age of 29. As Charlie’s remains still have yet to be recovered, organizations and multiple police departments have reached out to his family, offering support and ensuring his legacy lives on for years to come. In the past few months, Charlie’s name has been read aloud during roll call at virtual memorial tributes and etched into marble memorial walls. Charlie recently received a posthumous award, a medal of honor for his sacrifice to his people and community.

With everyone in position the motorcade was off. Sirens wailing and headlights flashing, the vehicular ensemble traveled the length of the reservation from the court house to the marina, receiving support from commuters along the way who honked, waved and pulled to the side of the road during the honoring parade.

The moving tribute to Officer Cortez is a project that spans across the Nation called End of Watch – A Ride to Remember, arranged by a non-profit known as Beyond the Call of Duty. The organization has one sole mission; to honor the legacy of all the fallen police officers throughout the country. Tulalip was just the second stop on an 84-day, 22,500-mile journey around the U.S.

“This is our second year, we have six motorcycles and we plan on keeping it going,” said Beyond the Call of Duty Founder, Jagrut ‘J.C.’ Shah. “It was something I was thinking about for a number of years, and it’s something that should be done as far as letting the Nation know versus just the state or local city. I wanted all the departments to know that we’re all together in the same boat. I wanted the survivors to know that they aren’t alone. That’s really been our mission since last year and we’re seeing it today. We we’re able to bring a survivor from 2019 to talk to the Cortez’s. He lost his son; it is difficult, but they speak the same language because we can’t express that hurt, that loss.”

Upon arriving at the marina, a number of local leaders spoke about the Tulalip hero, about how he gave his life defending his Tribe’s treaty rights as both a Fish & Wildlife officer as well as a tribal hunter and fisherman.

“Charlie was a peacemaker, he was a loving, wonderful young man who came to work to do his duty always with a smile,” recalled TPD Chief of Police, Chris Sutter. “Charlie laid down his life for his tribe, protected treaty rights that were negotiated 150 years ago to preserve a way of life and a culture. He was out doing his duty as a fish and wildlife officer for the Tulalip Police Department and was taken in the line of duty. Charlie Joe Cortez will always be a hero in our community. Always remembered and never forgotten. We love you, we love the family.”

Said Tulalip Vice-Chairman Glen Gobin, “Charlie became a part of each and every one of you in his walk. When Charlie lost his life that day in the line of active duty, he gave it all doing what he signed up to do, with the greatest honor and respect that he had for what he believed in when he put that badge on, what he stood for – to stand up and serve his community, his people. Charlie’s birthday was yesterday, he would’ve been 30 years old today. Forever 29 in our hearts, forever 29 in our memories. In whatever way you walked in his life, whatever you shared in his life, you carry that with you.”

Charlie’s parents, Paula and Alan Cortez also spoke, thanking those in attendance for their continued support.

“Seeing you guys all ride in and watching the Beyond the Call of Duty memorial come in was an amazing feeling that is helping us heal,” expressed Paula while fighting back tears. “We still have yet to have our son’s service. We’ve been active as parents to let the media know that we will not give up. We have had people volunteer. Our police department, while they’re working on other fishery related matters out on the water they are keeping their eyes open. We have had people contact us who raced with him while he was in motocross and they are wanting to help, they are divers and have sonar equipment and they want to be here for us. I want to thank all the agencies that came that night on November 17, 2020, my hands go up to you, you were out there that night, the next night and beyond. I want to extend the deepest gratitude for the honor that you are giving to not only my son, but to my family, his children, our community members and the police department he served.”

Alan then took a moment to gift a hand drum to J.C., which he made from elk hide that both he and Charlie harvested together. The ceremony ended with a song and blessing from a group of Tulalip singers, many of whom rode along in the convoy; some on their ATVs and in their everyday vehicles, some a part of the Tulalip motorcycle club, the Sacred Riders, who escorted the procession throughout Tulalip.

A belated BBQ birthday celebration was planned to coincide with the End of Watch ceremony, as May 29^th would’ve been Charlie’s 30^th trip around the sun. While TPD officers worked the grill, the people wrote personal and heartfelt messages to Charlie on a large End of Watch banner, and took photos next to his picture on the memorial wall.

The Cortez family is determined to bring Charlie home and they believe that his return can bring some much-needed peace, healing and a closure to the Tribe, the law enforcement community and most importantly Charlie’s loved ones.

Thank you for keeping Charlie’s family and the Tulalip Police Department in your prayers. As always, please send any potential evidence, information or your own informal searches to us by texting 360-926-5059, or emailing bringofficercortezhome@gmail.com, or leaving a voicemail at (909) 294-6356.

To keep up with the traveling memorial wall as it journeys across America, please visit the Beyond the Call of Duty Facebook page for nightly video recaps and photos of each of their stops.

More than a carving, House of Tears story pole a reminder to protect the sacred

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

A large crowd of community members welcomed the Red Road to D.C. story pole journey during its Tulalip visit on May 17^th. Designed with Indigenous precision by Lummi Nation’s House of Tears carvers, the 400-year-old western red cedar lay front and center while embodying an unwavering message to protect the sacred.

“We are all coming together, like figures in a story pole, to produce an end vision – the protection of Native American sacred sites,” explained head carver and Lummi activist, Jewell ‘Praying Wolf’ James. “Native America has endured hundreds of years of oppression, yet our spiritual practices and beliefs have not been exterminated. We are still connected to Mother Earth spiritually, and our sacred sites are extremely essential to our native belief systems.

“Working on story poles opens up a path to the spirit,” he continued. “It is my hope that this pole will transmit that spirit to Washington D.C. and allow the Biden Administration to follow through on their treaty obligations. Many of us believe that the United States owes it to us to listen. They entered into a sacred relationship with us, some people call it a treaty. But they use their voices to promise. To us, when you use your voice, it takes the sacred wind and the Great Spirit gives you the energy to talk. Your verbal commitment is one of spiritual significance to Native Americans. We hope by bringing this story pole to Washington, D.C., we’ll also awaken the sacred commitment the United States has to Native American Nations.”

It took over two months and fourteen pairs of hands working in synch to transform the nearly two ton, old-growth cedar log into a symbol of our collective ancestral responsibility to protect sacred lands, waters, and wildlife for generations to come. At twenty-four feet, eight inches tall and three feet wide, it tells a story of connectedness and asks for accountability by the humans who call this planet home. Skillfully etched in the pole are a moon, a diving eagle, two Chinook salmon, a sea bear, a sea wolf, a grandmother with her grand-daughter, and a number of spiritually strengthening elements chiseled throughout.

Featured on the pole are seven tears to represent the seven generations of trauma passed on from colonialism. Also included is an image of a child in jail in reference to the U.S. – Mexico border issues and the bloodline relationship of immigrants seeking entry to the country whose lands they once occupied. No to be overlooked are the numerous blood red hands from top to bottom that symbolize the silenced voices of missing and murdered Indigenous women.

“Many grandmothers are raising their granddaughter as their daughter because the mother is missing in action,” said Jewell. “Either she got abused by a husband and ran and disappeared for her own safety or she got caught up into drugs, or she’s missing and murdered. It’s a nationwide crisis. We like to dream that we have a perfect relationship, but the fact is the United States, the State of Washington, all our tribes, the counties and cities, everybody has to enact laws to tell the men: ‘Quit beating the women! Leave the women alone. Stop it or we’ll imprison you.’ It’s sad that we have to have the law tell us it’s wrong. It’s a reflection of our attitude, and the way we treat the female in the family is how we treat the Earth. The scars are permanent.”

Mother Earth is covered with scars. Her air is polluted by the burning of fossil fuels, oceans filled with industrial waste, forests replaced by concrete jungles, and arctic shelf continuing to melt away because of global warming. What’s happening is a result of a perspective that sees everything as a resource to be exploited. Its killing Mother Earth and threatening life across the planet. Life, whether it be aquatic, avian or land based is suffering. Mother Earth’s creatures are dying of sickness because her life giving air and water are being poisoned.

“We look at our children and our heart aches because how do we stop the devastation of what’s happening to our mother? What are we going to leave our children when we’re dust? What kind of lifestyle are we leaving them to inherent?” pondered Lummi master carver Douglas James to the intently listening crowd. “We’re reaching out and asking for all to come together with one heart and one mind because it’s for the children and their future children that we need to be accountable. We must stand up for them now, like our ancestors once stood up for us. Or else our children can look forward to only being able to breathe fresh air through an oxygen tank and drink clear water from a plastic bottle.”

The House of Tears carvers hope to bring a moment of self-reflection across the United States and an acknowledgement of past and present injustices inflicted on Native peoples and lands without consent, as they plan to journey 16,000 miles to share the messages within their story pole. Their cross-country trip is only just beginning as they intend to visit all federally recognized tribes in Washington State before going down the Pacific coast.

They will make stops at several locations that are considered sacred to local tribes and Indigenous peoples, and are current or potential targets for dams, mining, drilling, or oil pipelines. At each stop, they will display their story pole especially created to honor these sacred sites. They will meet with local tribes and residents to underscore the message that tribes must give their consent before major infrastructure projects are approved.

“This is a spiritual gift being shared with the people, all the tribes throughout the U.S.,” said Tulalip elder Inez Bill. “I’d like to thank the carvers for including us and acknowledge our Tulalip elders who came here today to represent our people in this historical occasion. This pole serves as an example of what we can do when we unite our hearts and minds in thanks for the blessings we’ve been given. It is a blessing to be stewards of this land. The natural environment is where our spirituality and traditions come from. Our ancestors thought about their future generations and fought to have their usual and accustomed areas accounted for in the treaties. We need to honor and respect our ancestors by taking care of these areas. The way of life of our people depends on the teachings and values that were laid out for us. It is our responsibility to carry them forward.”

Red Road to D.C. journey stops will include sacred sites such as Bears Ears National Monument in Utah; Chaco Canyon, Navajo Reservation in New Mexico; and the Black Hills in South Dakota. Planned visits also include locations where Native-led oil pipeline protests made national headlines, like the Standing Rock Reservation in North Dakota and the White Earth Indian Reservation in Minnesota before finally arriving in Washington, DC on July 28, where the pole will be delivered to the Biden-Harris Administration. Concluding the Red Road to D.C. journey, the story pole will be enshrined as a featured monument in the Smithsonian National Museum.

The story pole journey is a project that makes visible the struggle for life. It brings awareness to the connectedness of all Mother Earth’s people and our shared history. It ties together communities who are living on the front line of the environmental emergency. It makes the commonality of their suffering visible and strengthens the bonds of solidarity between them.

As the pole travels it draws lines of connection honoring, uniting and empowering communities working to protect sacred sites. It carries the spirit of the lands it visits, and the hopes and prayers of communities along the way. As the pole travels from place to place and comes into contact with more and more people, it grows more powerful. People who touch it give it power, and it in turn gives power to them.

“This gathering was so special because we honored a story pole that will be traveling to D.C. to be presented to the White House. I’m thankful we were able to share our welcoming song and bless the pole in our own traditional way, with youth and elders as witnesses,” reflected Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin. “This pole recognizes our relationships we’ve created with the federal government and the many broken promises we’re trying to have corrected, to make things better for our people.

“As tribes, we have been fighting much of the same fights since treaty times, and we’ve shown over and over again that when we come together we are strong,” she added. “Being able to have our people touch the pole and put their prayers into it, knowing that tribal members from all across Indian Country will do the same, is extremely powerful. It lets us know that we are in this fight together. We are fighting for our environment. We are fighting for our treaty rights. We are fighting for our future generations.”

To follow the pole’s journey and see a list of tour stops visit www.redroadtodc.org Events will be live-streamed via the group’s public Facebook page – Our Shared Responsibility: A Totem Pole Journey.

Charlie Cortez receives Medal of Honor

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

As the search for fallen Tulalip Police Officer Charlie Cortez continues, the law enforcement community is taking measures to commemorate the late officer’s name for generations to come. Police agencies around the country are paying tribute to both Charlie and his family, by speaking his name at roll calls during remembrance ceremonies and vigils, as well as engraving his name into memorial walls that are dedicated to officers who paid the ultimate sacrifice while on the line of duty.

Most recently, Charlie’s family received a package from the American Police Hall of Fame, a posthumous award of the highest degree, the Medal of Honor. The medal fits perfectly on the memorial wall his loved one’s set-up at his family’s home, complete with photographs of the tribal officer, and displayed next to his many accolades.

“We got a letter from the American Police Hall of Fame mentioning that his name is going to be etched into the marble at the Hall of Fame Memorial Wall with 8,000 other police officers that have fallen in the line of duty,” said Charlie’s mom, Paula Cortez. “We’re so proud of him but at the same time our hearts break that he’s no longer here with us. The law enforcement world has been phenomenal at making sure that he’s honored and that he’ll always be remembered. That’s special for our family and for his kids who will be able to go and visit those memorials. And in the future, they can share that with their kids, it’s something that will be there forever.”

At the end of the month, on May 29^th, a nation-wide traveling event is coming to Tulalip to honor Charlie and all of the officers who transitioned to their next journey while protecting and serving their communities. A large trailer will make-it’s-way throughout the reservation to raise awareness and honor the officers and their families, beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Tribal Justice Center and ending at the Tulalip Marina. The trailer is a project known as ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’ and features the photos and the names of all the fallen officers over this past year.

The Beyond the Call of Duty trailer will be accompanied by the End of Watch Motorcycle Club, which was created in memory of those officers who dedicated their life to the badge and are no longer with us. As it happens, the event takes place one day after Charlie’s birthday, so in addition to the convoy, the local police department and Charlie’s family will be throwing a BBQ celebration for the young, fallen officer at the Marina shortly after the motorcade.

A vow to serve and protect: Nine officers take Oath of Honor and join TPD

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

“I want our newest officers and staff to know that we value each and every one of you,” said Tulalip Chief of Police Chris Sutter. “You have worked hard to get this far and we want you to be successful. We welcome you to the department. We all look forward to seeing you progress in your career.”

Natural sunlight beamed throughout the illustrious new Tulalip Gathering Hall, on a gorgeous May afternoon. Approximately 150 people, consisting of family, friends and local citizens, came together to celebrate a momentous occasion for eleven individuals who are embarking on a new journey with the Tulalip Police Department.

In total, nine officers received a warm welcome to the squad; seven officers who recently graduated from the U.S. Indian Police Academy in New Mexico as well as two lateral officers who transferred from other departments. The newly appointed Sex Offender Registration Program Manager, Alyshia Ramon, and the latest tribal recruit, Kanoe Williams, were also honored at the ceremony.

Said Kanoe, “I wanted to join our tribal law enforcement to serve the community that I live in. I grew up here, I know most of the people on the rez. This is kind of my way to give back to them. I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work. I’m going off to New Mexico in the summer, and I’m excited and anxious and just ready to learn and start the process.”

A number of Tulalip leaders were in attendance including Tulalip Chairwoman Teri Gobin and Vice-Chairman Glen Gobin who commended the new officers for pursuing a career in law enforcement and offered their best wishes to both the officers and their families.

Respects were also paid to fallen TPD Officer Charlie Cortez who was announced lost at sea last November. In a special moment, Charlie’s family shared a few words and a gift with all the new officers. The Cortez’s were escorted by Charlie’s lifelong best friend and fellow TPD officer, Beau Jess, and the family was sure to recognize him for being a source of strength for the family during these inexplicably hard times. Each officer accepted a gift bag from the Cortez family. In return, the new officers supplied them with loving hugs.

“I wanted to be here today to witness our new officer’s swearing-in and blessing ceremony,” expressed Charlie’s emotional mother, Paula Cortez, before saying a prayer for the officers. “Our family prays every day for our own healing from what happened to Charlie and we pray that no other family has to experience this type of loss ever again.”

TPD Commander Jim Williams provided a bit of advice and wisdom to the officers, which he garnered from his many years of experience on the force. Then Angela Davis, the department’s Professional Standards Manger, officially introduced Darbi Boggs, Justin Coker, Michelle Kekoa-Oshiro, Christian Kentch, Angel Sotomayor Jr., Josephine Stoker, Elizabeth Vides, Joshua Tannen and Jesse Wright to the community, while also sharing a short personal biography about each officer.

Tulalip Attorney, Michelle Sheldon, held the honor of swearing-in the new officers. Following Michelle’s lead, the officers raised their right hands in the air and vowed to protect and serve the Tulalip community. After officially taking the Oath of Honor, TPD called upon the officers’ loved ones to pin their badges to their new uniforms. The ceremony concluded with a song and blessing from Tulalip singers, as well as a longstanding tradition amongst police agencies throughout the Nation, the enjoyment of cake and company to cap-off a swearing-in ceremony.

“It’s pretty surreal,” shared new TPD Officer and Upper Skagit Tribal Member, Justin Coker, who is most excited about defending Tribal treaty rights. “The academy was really challenging, it took everything in me to pull through it and now that I’m here it’s pretty amazing. I’m thankful my family has been behind me the whole way. I grew up out here. I come from a family of fishermen and I just wanted to do my part and keep it alive, to make sure my kids have something to look forward to. I’m looking forward to meeting the community on a different level, letting them know that I’m here for them and getting to know everybody and the environment a lot more. It’s really exciting and it was a beautiful ceremony today. If this is something you want to do, follow your dreams.”

To pursue a career with the Tulalip Police Department, please reach out to Angela Davis to begin your new law enforcement journey. For further details, visit www.TulalipTribalPolice.org or call the non-emergency line at (360) 716-4608.

Before parting ways, Chief Sutter stated, “My charge to our newest officers is to go out be fair, be objective, be kind, demonstrate compassion for others, always remember to treat everyone with respect and dignity, and treat others the way you would want your family members to be treated. Lastly, always be safe, take good care of your partners and also yourself and your loved ones.”

Interactive Lushootseed app aims to teach kids traditional sduhubš language

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Apps play a key role in today’s technology-led society. Whether you are catching up with your pals on social media, staying up-to-date on current world events and local news, killing time with addictive smart phone games, or listening to some good tunes, audiobooks or podcasts, as the now trademarked-by-Apple-saying goes, there’s an app for that.

In Tulalip, apps are important to the modern-day Indigenous business owner, artist, musician, and student. Tribal casino or government employees can easily swipe through a selection of apps to complete their everyday tasks, increase productivity, practice good communication skills by means of e-mails, text messaging, social media posts or Zoom meetings, and can even keep up with the latest community happenings by checking out Tulalip News on the Facebook app or the Tulalip TV app.

The youth of today are masters of technology. Learning how to navigate phones and tablets at a young age, kids are now utilizing apps to enhance their educational journey, and often use a number of apps to complete their school projects from research to creation to presentation. Apps are proving to be essential learning tools. A newly released app was created with the kids in mind, to engage the future generations of Tulalip with the traditional language of their ancestors in a fun, exciting and interactive way.

Now available, wherever you download your favorite apps, is a software application like none-other, known as Our Table. Brought to you by a collaboration between the Tulalip Lushootseed Language Department and the Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy, the app is set-up in a game-style format to teach Tulalip’s youngest generation the dialect of Lushootseed that was known throughout the Snohomish territory since time immemorial.

“Culturally, that’s one of the things that’s always been done,” explained Dave Sienko, Lushootseed Media Developer. “Things are done around the kitchen table, families get together and they talk and share. That’s kind of what the app is trying to convey.”

The first-of-its-kind language learning app, Our Table is centered around one of the major traditional lifeways of the Tulalip people, nourishment. Bringing ancient words and phrases into the modern world, the kids are not only able to hear the pronunciation of words like spiqʷuc (potato), biac (meat), qʷagʷəb ləpəskʷi (cookie), as well as many other tasty foods, they also learn the names of immediate family members such as tsi sk̓ʷuy (mother) and ti bad (father).

The object of the game is to share food with your family. At the start of the game, you choose two different foods and one family member. The family member then asks for one of the two items, and it is up to you to deliver the correct plate of food to the table.

“All too often we talk about our kids having too much screen time,” Dave stated. ”Most of the time, screen time is considered by oneself, but this app encourages the connections between family members; between grandparents and grandkids, parents and kids, siblings – just sharing the culture together.”

By learning the Lushootseed word for each of relative, the kids can ask a member of their family to play along in the app’s two-player ‘Talk to Your Partner’ mode, where they can properly address the other player and share the correct food item that they are requesting – entirely in Lushootseed. You are rewarded one star for every correct food item that is shared and once you reach ten stars, you unlock a hidden-bonus-round where you command your character to collect as many berries as fast as they can and place them in a cedar-woven basket.

Said Dave, “That was one of the things that was the primary focus of the app, make it very interactive and fun so it’s not just a click-and-listen. You physically need to do something, drag items here and there, and you need to do it correctly, that’s how you get points. It has a reward element to it too, especially for the younger kids, but it’s fun for all ages, you hear the fun, light music and you have to get the different berries. That’s one of the things that’s fantastic about the app is that yeah, you’re getting the different berries, but it’s also telling you what type of berries they are as an award, whether that’s t̕aqa (salalberry) or stəgʷad (salmonberry).”

This recent app development is just the latest endeavor from the two programs who have collaborated many times in the past to ensure the kids are hearing and learning the vernacular of their people. The academy invited the Lushootseed Language Warriors into their classrooms to share words, songs and stories with the students on a regular basis, in what is known as the academy’s Language Immersion Curriculum. The kids become familiarized with the verb-based language at a young age, and can further build upon that foundation throughout their entire educational experience.

“I believe that our children need to know from the youngest ages who they are,” said Betty J. Taylor Early Learning Academy Director, Sheryl Fryberg. “Research says, if they are totally connected to who they are as birth to five children, they’re going to be more successful in their lifetime because they have that solid sense of self. We really want to build that connection between our language and culture. We want to share that value; I think that the Lushootseed Department does a great job of sharing that value. We want our families to have an opportunity to learn Lushootseed too, with our kids.”

The app was officially released on Google Play (previously the Android Market) in September of 2020 and on the Apple App Store in February of this year. Dave explained that the app took over a year-and-a-half to create and would’ve been here sooner, had it not been for the challenges presented by the global pandemic. However, he assures that this is just the start of Our Table and hopes to routinely update the app and add on additional features and realms outside of the kitchen. Dave also wants to provide in-app links that forward the user to the Tulalip Lushootseed website, where the kids can hear traditional songs and stories that correlate to the round in their current game.

Many Lushootseed Warriors can be heard throughout the app as several of the teachers leant their vocals to the project, enunciating words and phrases for the kids to hear and practice. Dave also wanted to mention that Marysville School District faculty member, David Court, played a major role in the app’s development, as well as TELA director Sheryl Fryberg and Lushootseed Manager, Michele Balagot.

“To me, the language means that we are speaking what our ancestors used to speak. We are bringing it back,” exclaimed Tulalip Lushootseed Manager, Michele Balagot. “We thought we should be teaching them young because this is when they are developing their brains. If they start hearing Lushootseed from the beginning of their education, they’ll learn the sounds and know some of the words. It’s a very hard language to learn, so it’s rewarding to hear the students speaking it. It’s very important for the kids to carry it on so we don’t lose it.”

Our Table is available to download on all smart devices and is the perfect app to engage the little ones with the Tulalip culture. Be sure to give-it-a-go at the next family game night or get-together.

Recognizing the national crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

“My hands go up to all our friends and relatives who are joining us on this most important day – the day to acknowledge the missing and murdering Indigenous women who have been taken from us. To be honest, it’s been a really heavy day of talking about atrocities that have been inflicted upon us for 500 plus years now, since the beginning of colonization.

“We talk about statistics and about how 3 out of 5 Native Americans will experience violence in their lifetime and have sexual crimes committed against them. We talk about statistics in a way that never make it personal because it’s too hard to talk about our own experiences and share what we’ve been forced to go through ourselves. So I’d like to acknowledge anyone who as a child experienced sexual abuse or as an adult been a victim of physical, emotional or mental abuse…it’s not your fault. It’s not your fault what happened to you as a child. It’s not your fault for what happened to you as a teenager. It’s not your fault what happened to you as an adult. That trauma does not define you.

“The abuses and the atrocities that continue to happen to our people are not our fault. We are reminded that colonization has used rape as a war crime against us. That war crime is intended to silence us; it’s to take our voice and make us feel like we have no rights. And sometimes the law, the police and the justice system make us feel like we don’t have any rights either. This gathering today proves our voices have not been taken away, that we will not be silent, and that we are not giving up.

“Together, we say ‘we will not silence anyone and enough is enough!’ in one united voice. That is so powerful. When we speak we are standing on the shoulders of our ancestors, who never knew us but prayed for us in this moment. They knew we would need their prayers and their strength to continue and carry on. So I ask us to make the prayers for our next 7 generations. I ask us to make a commitment to work on our own hurt and pain, a commitment to do more, a commitment to be better.

“I thank you all for stepping into this space because I know it’s not comfortable and to talk on these issues isn’t fun. To say you have an abuse problem in your family is not comfortable. To say that you come from sexual abuse and physical violence in your family is not comfortable, but it’s a reality many of us share.

Let us continue to find ways to work together and continue to find ways to be healthier because we don’t have to carry those emotional scars any longer. I am so thankful for everyone being here and love you all for the good work that we’ll continue to do together.”

Those eloquent, heartfelt words were shared by Tulalip’s own Theresa Sheldon as she welcomed hundreds of community members as they assembled at the grass covered lot across from Hibulb Cultural Center on Wednesday, May 5. Friends and relatives from both near and far respectfully dawned an assortment of red clothing, red regalia, and red handmade signs in a united effort to recognize the national crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW).

Sobering Statistics

Indigenous women are murdered and go missing at a rate higher than any other ethnic group.
Indigenous women are murdered at a rate 10x higher than all other ethnicities.
Murder is the 3^rd leading cause of death for Indigenous women.
More than 4 out of 5 Indigenous women (84.3%) will experience violence in their lifetime.
More than half of Indigenous women experience sexual violence (56.1%).
More than half of Indigenous women have been physically abused by their intimate partners (55.5%).
Nearly half of all Indigenous women have been stalked in their lifetime (48.8%).
Indigenous women are 1.7 times more likely than white American women to experience violence.
Indigenous women are 2x more likely to be raped than white American women.
Murder rate of Indigenous women is 3x higher than white American women.

*source: National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center

To understand the complex and ongoing MMIW crisis one must first admit the current systemic response to violence against Native women is immensely inadequate. Then one must realize the rate at which Tribes are losing their life-giving women is devastating to not just the tribal communities, but to the entire nation as a whole. Insufficient resources on the state level and lack of clarity on jurisdictional responsibilities on the federal level combine to severely hinder efforts to locate those who are missing. Furthermore, the current legal framework for persecuting crimes committed on tribal citizens by non-tribals is exceedingly complicated and creates many barriers for victims and Tribes working to protect their membership.

Despite a federal trust obligation to protect Native American communities, violence against Indigenous women in the United States continues at epidemic proportions. It greatly exceeds that of any other demographic of women across the country. While many issues need to be addressed to confront this human rights issue, it is clear that limitations placed on tribal government jurisdiction by the federal government are a key contributing factor, with non-Native perpetrators falling through the cracks in the system time and time again.

“A huge thank you to each and every one of you joining us in the circle here today. We know that we come with our prayers and that’s the strongest medicine we have. The thoughts we have in our mind create reality,” shared Deborah Parker, who serves on the National Indigenous Women’s Resource board and is renowned for her critical role in the passage of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA). “When I was a young girl I witnessed violence in our community, and I said a prayer then that when I get older I’d like to be a person to help change the laws to protect our people.

“If we speak forward with our voice and with our truth and with all of our strength, then we can move mountains. And truly there are others who believe in our words and will stand beside us,” she continued. “These are our lands. We’ve been taught we are caretakers of these lands. That’s a big responsibility for us as Indigenous people. Each and every person in this circle, from youth to elder, can fulfill this responsibility and bring about change that benefits us all. We need our women to be safe. We need our young people to be safe. We need our future generations to be safe. By standing together and working together we will make this prayer a reality.”

By learning from the experiences of surviving family members, the MMIW movement can work to achieve the changes needed to safeguard the lives of Indigenous women and strengthen the authority of Native nations to protect their citizens. Exemplifying this notion was Tulalip tribal members Udora Andrade, Veronica Jimicum, Lynette Jimicum and Denise Hatch-Anderson who together brought forward prayers and a reminder of the ongoing search for Mary E. Johnson. Mary is a Tulalip woman who has been missing since December 1, 2020.

Following a series of speakers from all levels of Tulalip leadership and enrichment programs, Deb Parker led a large contingent of singers and drummers in sharing the Women’s Warrior Song, which was gifted from her First Nations family in British Columbia. The cohesive red wave continued to share in culture, song, and a united purpose to raise MMIW awareness well into the twilight hours.

“Our hands go up to each and every one of you who attended and helped make this moment possible,” said event coordinator Josh Fryberg. “Our thoughts and prayers go out to all in need. It will take each and every one of us to continue to be the difference, not just for us but for our future generations. By living in a good way that honors our Ancestors we will continue to bring unity, to raise awareness, and strengthen our culture, together.”

Breaking ground for future transitional living

By Micheal Rios, Tulalip News

During the morning of May 10, tribal council officially broke ground on what will soon be emergency transitional living units for Tulalip’s membership. Located across the street from Tulalip Bay fire department, this will be the first of several planned sites intended to prevent homelessness. This first site will consist of five units that will be fully furnished, including a kitchenette and washer and dryer. The living space is small (240 square feet) and meant for emergency purposes and short term living only.

“I’m so appreciative of the work that has been done to get us ready for today. These transition units will be a blessing for our community,” stated C.O.O. Wendy Fryberg. “We recognize that our people sometimes have transition requirements, and homelessness should not be a concern for our members who have find themselves in such challenging circumstances.

“Clients who stay in one of these units will be connected with a Case Worker to assist them in obtaining additional resources to help with obtaining permanent long term living accommodations,” she added. “The goal is for the Case Worker to provide information, support and wrap around services for clients to work through the processes in place to obtain services, such as getting on lists for housing, finding funding, applying for jobs, etc.”

In addition to providing a sense of stability for families who will use the transitional units as a stepping stone to independent living, each unit will provide essential comforts like water and sewer utilities, electricity, the ability to have cable and a Wi-Fi connection.

Rent will be $300 per month to cover the water, sewer and PUD bills. There will be more information coming out about the policy, eligibility, and application process for Tulalip membership interested in temporarily residing in one of these transitional units.

By contrast, the Tulalip Tribes homeless shelter utilizes shared utilities, including a shared kitchen area. Many of the region’s tiny home villages that have become more and more common, also lack running water and cooking facilities.

“This is our first project of this type. Yes, we have the homeless shelter, but these units have their own bathroom and kitchenette,” explained Vice-Chairman Glen Gobin. “These transitional units will provide a foundation for tribal members to build upon and carry on in a good way. We pray this will be a success for individuals and families who find themselves in such circumstances. This project is intended to assist and help them build a good positive foundation and move forward in that good way. It’s always about our future and the steps we take for the next generation.”

Immediately after the ground breaking ceremony, Tulalip’s committed construction team eagerly got to work on what is sure to be a game changer for those of most need in our community.

Fallen TPD officer honored at Spokane PD memorial ceremony

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News; photos courtesy of Paula Cortez

“We stand here today to honor our fallen brothers and sisters in law enforcement,” said Sgt. H.G. Whapeles of the Spokane Sheriff’s Office. “To honor their commitment, and to pay homage to the sacrifice they readily gave for the safety of their community and their partners. We proudly swear to them to strive as law enforcement community, to pick up the torch that these brave men and women have passed off to us, to make our communities safe, and to set in place the training needed so no more names needlessly end up on these sacred stones. We gather here today so that we will remember them, so that their legacy will be kept alive in the hearts of the men and women who serve and risk their lives every day.”

On the morning of May 4, law enforcement officers from multiple departments across Washington State convened outside of the Public Safety building in the city of Spokane. The bright Spring day brought some much-needed healing and closure to families, as well as fellow officers, as they gathered to remember their loved ones who fell in the line of duty over the past year.

For 33 years, the Spokane Police Department has organized a special ceremony, with the exception of 2020 due to the worldwide pandemic, in remembrance of those who paid the ultimate sacrifice while fulfilling their vow to protect and serve their respective communities. This year, eighteen brave individuals and two K-9 officers were honored and recognized for not only dedicating their lives to the badge, but also for the heroes they were while off-duty, to their family and community members alike.

Among the eighteen law officials honored at this year’s ceremony was Tulalip tribal member and police officer, Charlie Cortez. Beloved by the people in his community, the news of his disappearance broke the hearts of those he held dearest and shocked the masses, as people from around the Nation followed the story closely each day, hoping and praying for any positive word.

“Our family is honored to have our son recognized for his great sacrifice for his community,” shared Charlie’s mother, Paula Cortez. “The law enforcement world out there seems to know what to do to make sure the survivors of officers are uplifted. We have this deep debt of gratitude for the efforts that they’ve been working on to keep his memory alive.”

In order to safely gather, due to the continued presence of COVID-19, there was a limited number of guests invited to the ceremony. However, the two-hour event was livestreamed over Facebook for those who wished to watch but could not attend, and then later posted to YouTube so family members can revisit and watch the honorable and special occasion whenever they please.

“We were actually informed by the Chief of Police that the Spokane Police Department was honoring Charlie,” said Paula. “We got up early, we went to the memorial wall. Everyone who made the trip was mom and dad, grandma, auntie, cousins, nieces and nephew, his brother, his children Dominic and Peyton, Tawnya and her husband, the Chief of Police and most of the Fish and Wildlife team from the Tulalip Police Department.”

The ceremony began with the presentation of colors, followed by a vocal performance of the National Anthem. To further honor the fallen officers, beautifully arranged wreaths were placed on a large granite wall, over the newly-etched names of all eighteen officers and the two K-9 officers, while the somber sound of bagpipes filled the air.

After a number of heartfelt words and prayers were shared by special guest speakers, each fallen officer was commemorated by the Chief of their departments as they read the officer’s eulogy aloud, before a member of the family officially unveiled their loved one’s name on the wall. As Chief Sutter memorialized Charlie, noting his love for hunting, fishing and digging for geoduck, Paula, along with Charlie’s children and his father Alan, held a flag up-high that featured Charlie’s photo, the TPD seal, the Tulalip Tribes killer whale emblem and a soaring eagle, while they also wore similar-designed t-shirts that read ‘Our Fallen Hero’.

“When we read his name, we really felt like the organization that put this honoring on – they are like an extended family to us. They really do care about the sacrifice our son made while serving his community,” mama Paula expressed. “When the bagpipes were playing ‘Amazing Grace’ – that song always brings tears to my eyes. I think the main thing was the honor guards were so professional in the way they presented the whole thing, it was beautiful and honorable to be able to witness that for my son.”

Charlie’s name and legacy will live throughout the Tulalip community for generations to come. And with this recent honoring, fellow officers who gather at the remembrance wall in Spokane will also know the young Tulalip officer’s name as well as everything he stood for, including upholding the law, protecting his tribes treaty rights and of course his everlasting love for his family, people and community.

As the event came to a close, the honor guard, which consisted of officers from various departments state-wide, performed a ceremonial bell-service which often replaces the 21-gun salute at memorial services for police officers. Upon leaving, the guests were encouraged to visit the ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’ trailer, which is a truck that will travel around the country to raise awareness and honor those officers whose lives were lost in the line of duty.

The memorial ceremony in Spokane was just the first of many as Charlie’s family has been informed his name will be etched into several remembrance walls in the upcoming months, to ensure his memory lives on. Charlie’s name will be displayed not only in Spokane, but also in Olympia and Washington D.C.

“It still hurts the family,” Paula expressed. “We have to look at our waters in a different way now. But I think all the different organizations and foundations are honored to be of service to the families and are dedicated to uplifting our son’s name and his memory. It helped to have the Tulalip Police Department by our side, they were very supportive. We definitely made a mark over there. The Spokane news also mentioned Charlie’s name in their publication because we traveled so far to get there. We will plan times to go over there and to the other memorial walls once the COVID-19 pandemic goes away. It’s an honor for us to be able to witness the ceremonies that they work so hard at putting together for the families.”

It’s been nearly six months since the Tulalip Fish & Wildlife officer went missing at sea and the search for Charlie continues while his family, community and fellow law enforcement officers and agencies find ways to celebrate his life, times and legacy as a Tulalip man, father, son, uncle and cousin. Upcoming events include a visit from the ‘Beyond the Call of Duty’ trailer on May 29, a day after Charlie’s birthday. The truck, a motorcycle club and a TPD escort will journey from the Tulalip Justice Center to the Tulalip Marina at 9:30 a.m. where a mid-morning b-day celebration and BBQ will take place in his memory.

Charlie’s name will also be spoken in remembrance at a number of Virtual Roll Calls, including a virtual candlelight vigil that will be held May 13, at 5:00 p.m. at www.lawmemorial.org

Yard work and music strengthen bond between elders and youth

By Kalvin Valdillez, Tulalip News

Tulalip Elder Karen Fryberg sat outside on her deck on a warm spring afternoon with a smile on her face, giving all of her attention to two young men, JJ and Messiah, who introduced themselves to her, as well as informed her of their family lineage and their favorite pastime, which happened to be football for both of the kiddos. The boys, led by Tulalip Youth and Family Enrichment Manager Josh Fryberg, then offered Karen, now joined by husband Cy, a traditional song, sending the family strength during the COVID-19 era.

Pre-pandemic, the Tulalip Tribal elders received routine lawn care courtesy of the Tribe. However, since the Tribal government’s initial shut-down, and subsequently a limited amount of people now on staff, a number of services have been postponed until further notice. In fact, the only remaining grounds that are tended by the Tribe are tribal government properties and the cemeteries.

Months passed by as grass blades and pesky weeds continued to grow longer and sharper at the homes of many local seniors. For the majority of 2020, the elders were constantly encouraged to stay home and indoors, in order to best protect the well-being of present-day Tulalip wisdom keepers. The Tulalip Youth and Family Enrichment program saw an opportunity in the overgrowth, a chance to strengthen the bond between the youth and elders of the Tribe, by means of good-old-fashioned hard work.

“We are teaching our youth how to properly use a lawn mower, how to put gas in it, how to put oil in it, how to safely run one so that they can provide that service for their families,” said Youth and Family Enrichment Manager, Josh Fryberg. “The ultimate goal is to encourage all of us to do as much as we can for our elders in our community. What really inspired us to create this program is to rebuild the connection with our youth, staff and elders of the Tulalip Tribes and also provide cultural songs and send strength to our elders.”

Josh stated that the Tulalip Youth Council, along with the Youth Council Advisor Marc Robinson, are partners in the new program, and the future leaders often lend a helping hand with the lawn care services. Karen and Cy’s home was the third property they have visited since the start of the program, previously providing services for Annette Napeahi and Annie and Johanna Moses.

“I didn’t put my name in but they said they were running around the rez to see which elders needed it, and our yard must’ve looked like needed it bad,” said Karen before bursting into a fit of laughter. “And it did need it, bad! It’s really been neglected. I think that it’s good for the youth to realize how much work our seniors can’t do and how much help we do need. It’s nice that they recognize that we need this type of service. We don’t even own a lawnmower. It’s neat to meet the young people who want to do this for us. It would be nice to have even more kids coming by so we can learn about them and who they are.”

The Youth and Family Enrichment team intends to offer the once-a-week lawn care service to Tulalip elders throughout the summer months. If you would like to nominate an elder who is need of lawn care assistance, please e-mail RBennett@tulaliptribes-nsn.gov

Josh expressed, “this is a program we created to build that togetherness, unity, culture and to take care of some yard work at the same time. Our goal is to provide some interaction time between the youth and elders to gain that knowledge that is needed, and to rebuild that bridge. The best way for parents to get their kids involved is to send them down to the youth center. If they are not signed-up, we have membership forms at the front desk. We require masks and do temp-checks. Come on down, we have a lot more programs for our youth to take part-in.”

For more information, please call (360) 716-4909.